Huawei's nova series consistently delivers stylish and feature-packed smartphones at competitive prices. The nova 9 SE and nova Y90 are two compelling options, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key differences to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei nova 9 SE takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 66W charging, which is a major advantage. While both share the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, the 9 SE's charging speed and likely slightly better camera capabilities make it the preferable choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - JLN-LX1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JLN-LX1 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - JLN-LX3 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 08 | 2022, June 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 20 | Available. Released 2022, July 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (JLN-XL1 only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 75% in 20 min | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Pearl White, Crystal Blue | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | JLN-LX1, JLN-LX3, JuliaQN-L01B, JuliaQN-L21B, JuliaQN-L23A, RMX2190, FIO-BD00, JLN-AL00 | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Huawei nova 9 SE
- Significantly faster 66W charging
- Potentially better camera performance
- Sleeker design (likely)
- Likely better front-facing camera
- Potentially higher price
- May have slightly less RAM/storage options
Huawei nova Y90
- More affordable
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Decent battery life
- Slower 40W charging
- Potentially less impressive camera
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar OLED displays, potentially around 6.5-6.7 inches with a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate. The nova 9 SE might have a slightly higher resolution or better color accuracy, but this would require further testing. Expect vibrant colors and smooth scrolling on both.
Camera Comparison
While both likely feature a multi-lens rear camera system (potentially a 48MP main sensor), the nova 9 SE is expected to have a slightly more advanced camera setup with better image processing algorithms. Expect improved low-light performance and potentially more features on the 9 SE. Front-facing camera quality is also likely to be slightly better on the 9 SE.
Performance
Powered by the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, expect similar performance in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Neither phone is a powerhouse, but they should handle social media, browsing, and light gaming without significant issues. RAM and storage configurations will likely differ, impacting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
The nova 9 SE boasts a 66W wired charger, allowing for incredibly fast charging. The nova Y90's 40W charger is still respectable, but significantly slower. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 4000-4500mAh) on both devices, so the charging speed is the key differentiator here.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova 9 SE is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging and a potentially better camera experience. The nova Y90 is a good option for those on a tighter budget who don't need the fastest charging speeds and are looking for a reliable, everyday smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 chipset good enough for gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 is suitable for casual gaming and less demanding titles. Don't expect to run the latest AAA games at high settings.
❓ What is the battery life like on these phones?
Expect a full day of moderate use on both devices, thanks to their similar battery capacities. The nova 9 SE's faster charging will be a significant advantage when you need to top up.
❓ Do these phones have 5G connectivity?
No, both the Huawei nova 9 SE and nova Y90 are 4G devices.
